New Delhi: South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a period of national mourning on Sunday after a Halloween crush killed some 151 people in a packed nightlife area in Seoul, as reported by the news agency Reuters. President Yoon expressed condolences to the victims and wished for a speedy recovery for the injured.
“This is truly tragic,” he said in a statement. “A tragedy and disaster that should not have happened took place in the heart of Seoul last night,” he added, as reported by news agency Reuters.
‘India Stands In Solidarity’: Jaishankar Expresses Grief Over Seoul Halloween Stampede
Expressing grief over the horrific Seoul Halloween stampede, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident and said India stands in solidarity with South Korea during this difficult time.
At least 151 people were killed and several others were injured in a deadly stampede during Halloween celebrations in Seoul’s Itaewon district on Saturday, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported citing authorities.
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, “Deeply shocked at the loss of so many young lives due to the stampede in Seoul. Our condolences to the families of those who lost their dear ones. We stand in solidarity with the Republic of Korea during this difficult time.”
Deeply shocked at the loss of so many young lives due to the stampede in Seoul. Our condolences to the families of those who lost their dear ones. We stand in solidarity with the Republic of Korea during this difficult time.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 30, 2022
The people who died due to the stampede included 19 foreigners from Iran, Uzbekistan, China, and Norway, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The incident reportedly occurred when a large group of people rushed to an Itaewon bar after hearing an unidentified celebrity was visiting there, Al Jazeera reported citing the local media. Social media footage showed several people being assisted by rescue officials and private citizens at the scene, and many rescue officials performing CPR on people lying in poor condition on the streets.
The packed Halloween celebrations in South Korea’s capital of Seoul took place after Covid restrictions were removed, the local officials said. The festivities marked the participation of more than a lakh visitors and the number of casualties is only expected to rise.
A large crowd pushed forward on a narrow street during Halloween celebrations, resulting in dozens needing first aid. Numerous people had trouble breathing when the chaotic stampede occurred as dozens were seen giving CPR to people lying lifeless on streets post-incident.
Emergency forces were dispatched following the crowd surge. Firefighters and police officers also reached the Itaewon neighbourhood in Seoul to bring the situation under control. Emergency officials received at least 81 calls from people with breathing difficulty, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol presided over an emergency response meeting Sunday over the deadly stampede, as per the officials. He ordered the dispatch of the emergency medical team to the area and said hospital beds should be prepared to minimise casualties, his office said.
According to Yonhap, most Halloween festivals, events, and parades have been cancelled in South Korea as the country mourns the deaths.
(With agencies’ Inputs)
